Essential oils have been used for many years for their healing benefits and are often used in aromatherapy for their relaxing properties. Using essential oils for hair health can also be very beneficial. Here are four of my favorites.
Tea Tree Oil
This essential oil has been known to treat many scalp issues like dandruff, psoriasis and lice and calms an itchy scalp. This is all thanks to its antifungal and antibacterial properties which keeps the scalp free and clear to encourage the production of the natural oil (sebum) while it nourishes and promotes an overall healthy scalp. Healthy hair grows from a healthy scalp!
Rosemary Oil
Much like tea tree essential oil, rosemary is also great for scalp concerns like itchy scalp and dandruff. It’s antibacterial, stimulates the follicles and improves circulation to the scalp to encourage growth.
*If you are pregnant, it’s recommended that you steer clear of this oil.
See also: Using Essential Oils in Your Hair Care Regimen
Peppermint Oil
This one has multiple pluses for me! Not only does it smell great but the cooling effect that comes with mint will leave your scalp feeling refreshed and rejuvenated. You know that tingling sensation you get from peppermint? Well, that’s because it stimulates blood circulation/blood flow to the scalp which is important because your follicles are fed and nourished by the nutrients in your blood. This, naturally, promotes growth.
I also love that peppermint is a natural antiseptic. Here’s a little trick I’ve come up with: if I need to push washing off for a couple days when wearing kinky twists or even when wearing my own hair in a loose style at times, I’ll mix a few drops of peppermint essential oil with water and a little carrier oil in a spray bottle and apply to my scalp to keep it feeling and smelling clean.
Lavender Oil
Lavender essential oil aids in healthy hair growth in a couple ways:
First, because of its regenerative properties, lavender has been known to renew and revive the scalp and hair follicles to encourage growth and prevent hair loss. For this reason, it’s often used to treat alopecia areata- an autoimmune condition where an excessive amount of hair is lost, usually from the scalp, due to the body’s rejection of the hair as foreign.
Secondly, you may know that stress and anxiety can have an adverse effect on hair growth. As a natural stress reliever, the soft scent of lavender can help you relax, get a better night’s sleep and thereby reduce your anxiety level. Regular, soothing scalp massages using this essential oil along with your carrier oil of choice will not only encourage growth but you’ll be keeping hair loss under control as you are more relaxed.
Have you been using essential oils for hair health? Which ones are YOUR faves and how have you been using them?
